Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound;
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter, fire.
Blest, who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, an years, slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind.
Quiet by day.
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixt: sweet recreation,
And innocense, which most does please,
With mediation.
Thus let me live, unseen unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
A few paternal acres bound;
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him attire;
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter, fire.
Blest, who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, an years, slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind.
Quiet by day.
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixt: sweet recreation,
And innocense, which most does please,
With mediation.
Thus let me live, unseen unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
By Pope Alexander
